Every time I’m with my friends one of the things that always come up is how busy all our days really are. The decisions on how to structure our time is always at the forefront of our minds. Scheduling our days were dependant on varying factors, partners, kids, businesses and careers.
With all this going on, I came to realize that for any of us to really lead an effective life, no matter our circumstances, we have to cultivate these three habits. I have started to implement these in my days and they have been very helpful.
- Do the things that have the most impact
First thing in the morning, have a look at all the things you have to accomplish for the day and choose the top 3 things. Make sure you do those first. If it helps, put a time deadline on it. For example, I will write the first 200 words of my book by 12pm.
Be aware that some of the other tasks that may be on your list may be easier which then allows you to tick them off, but you have to remember to stay focused on the top 3.
- Stay focused to avoiding wasting your time
Having focus is key to having a successful day. When you’re ready to get some work done, you have to turn off the notifications on your phone and computer, stop refreshing your emails and put down WhatsApp. The deadline you set yourself is the only thing you should be aiming towards. STAY FOCUSED!
- Schedule short breaks throughout the day
This is by far my favourite. I know it sounds counterintuitive but it works. Your brain can only focus on one task for a maximum of 2 hours. Throughout the day you move from lower to higher alertness, you sometimes operate at peak capacity and other times you’re just dragging yourself along.
Taking a break allows your brain to process and digest information. If you continue to overstimulate your mind, your brain registers less material. If you want to remember more and be more creative, TAKE BREAKS. Make sure you disengage from your normal workday headspace, so if like me you work with computers, you can go for a 10-15min walk to clear your head and then go back to work.
Try these three things for a few days and your brain will thank you!